Excellent cookbook for the new home cook that wants to start learning new techniques from a master of Middle Eastern recipes!
Beloved for his innovative recipes that incorporate flavor-packed Middle Eastern ingredients, superstar chef Yotam Ottolenghi has inspired countless home cooks to integrate tahini, pomegranate molasses, za'atar and other Middle Eastern staples into their cooking...but sometimes the long ingredients lists relegate this recipes to weekend projects. In Simple, Ottolenghi presents a collection of delicious, pared-down dishes that are packed with his signature nuanced flavors, but none of the complexity.
In Simple, chef and restauranteur Yotam Ottolenghi presents presents 130 flavor-forward recipes that can be made easily in one or more ways: in 30 minutes or less, with 10 or fewer ingredients, in a single pot, using pantry staples, or prepared ahead of time for easy weeknight meals.
Some of the recipes can be cooked straight from your pantry—assuming you have the same stocked kitchen as Ottolenghi. This includes: olive oil, butter, flour, eggs, garlic, onions, lemons, Greek yogurt, parmesan, herbs, pasta, rice, canned beans, canned tuna. And if you cook every recipe in the book, you'll need:
- allspice ground
- apple pie spice
- baharat
- caraway seeds
- cardamom (ground)
- cayenne
- chili flakes
- cinnamon ground
- cinnamon sticks
- coriander seeds
- Chinese 5-spice
- cumin seeds
- curry powder
- dill
- fennel seeds
- harissa seasoning
- mint
- mustard seeds black
- mustard powder
- nigella seeds
- nutmeg ground
- paprika
- pepper ground fresh
- poppy seeds
- salt
- saffron
- sesame seeds black and/or tan
- star anise
- sumac
- tarragon
- thyme
- turmeric
- urfa chile
- vanilla pods
- white pepper
- za'atar
Recipes like Roasted Baby Carrots with Harissa and Pomegranate, Roasted Red Onion and Chickpea Salad with Tomato and Tahini, and Spring Roast Chicken with Preserved Lemon are organized by type of dish (brunch dishes, soups, vegetables, grains and legumes, pasta, fish, meat, and desserts), making any meal brilliantly, deliciously simple.
What we love it: While simple, Ottolenghi still uses a full cupboard of spices, and he's brilliant at pairing flavors. These recipes lack the complexity of his usual fare, which makes them accessible and is a great way to master your spice cabinet. Bravo!